Kicked out of work for wearing kilt

[Scott West]

Ah yes, another military retiree that can't seem to let go of their previous life - they're a dime a dozen. In a way it's sad because people like that literally live in the past, superimposing a previous existence onto the present. I'm retired Air Force (did my 20 years), but now I'm civilian. That was then this is now, simple as that. But it's the one's who become institutionalized that can not make the reversion back to civilian status.

Of course, the manner in which 'Mr. Major' chose to approach the situtation was heavy-handed. An axiom in the military is "praise in public, punish in private", so obviously the scolding was executed solely for self-stroking. Trust me, Scotcop - correcting the incident by coordinating cooly, and without passion, with the approving supervisor will be revenge enough on the 'Major'. (Ex)Military bullies CAN'T STAND IT when they are unable to arouse aggression from their target.

Or, if you REALLY want to get his goat, simply tell him "you're dismissed" after a discussion. Then, watch him swallow his tongue trying to respond fast enough!

[Lyle1]

Guys, I think we need to take another look at the shift manager's words (according to Scotcop):


If those words were presented in a lawsuit for harassment, I don't think the suit would be successful. It seems as though he chose his words very carefully to come across as an insult while not rising to the level of harassment or accusation. Notice he said, "I don't care if you are a transy.". By saying he doesn't care, he is saying that it's not the issue. Only the dress code is the issue.

To me, this shows that the shift manager put a lot of calculation into this. He had to have planned it ahead of time, since he apparently knew Scotcop was going to wear his kilt. He waited until the moment was right and then he attacked. And his words were carefully chosen to be insulting and degrading, while not being dangerous in any legal sense.

At any rate, I still think there's no cause and no standing for any type of lawsuit or legal action. But this guy is definitely a jerk who walks around with his little chest puffed up, thinking he's something special, and getting his jollies by tearing others down. People like that need to be knocked down a peg or two. As a manager myself (over an engineering department, not retail sales), I would never talk to my employees like that. It doesn't earn you any respect. It serves quite the opposite effect, in fact.

I agree, I don't think this rises to the level where a lawsuit is appropriate. However, it is inappropriate to "insult" and "attack" other employees, regardless of your rank. I think management needs to know what is going on in their store!

[BatlRatl]

Hmmm...looks like he failed to learn anything about leadership in the Army. How did a moron like that last 20 years in an honorable profession? Of course, if he was really any good at what he did in the Army he might have a better job than supervising minimum wagers at a bookstore in his retirement. He shouldn't take his inadequacy out on you.

You really need to report his abusive behavior. If I berated one of my employees like that the manager and the owner would have my head and I'm even the guy who has handled the firings recently (the thing I hate most about my job!!).

20 Yr. Army major, huh? Seems like someone wasn't making it to Lt. Col. anytime soon. Most officers, especially above the rank of captain, usually end up in a middle management position in a large corporation, not a bookstore supervisor. That job is usually for college kids.
He must have really bad interpersonal as well as managerial skills. That was his time to be a big shot. I would address it with his supe. After all, this job is not your bread and butter. If you lose it, so what?
You have my sympathy about this matter, but do not lie down on this.

[St. Amish]

Wow.

I got a pet training gig at a large, corporate pet warehouse. I mentioned to the store manager that, technically, if my kilt were khaki, it would fit into the dress code, since women are allowed to wear knee-length skirts. He said, "So, get a khaki kilt."

One would think that smaller companies would be more understanding.

[Good Egg]

So get a khaki kilt. Not sure what your point is.

[BKPowell]

Since you had permission from your boss, I would file a complaint against your super.
I personally know someone who loss their job because they are kilted.
Clearly, this is a violation of your civil rights.

[St. Amish]

So get a khaki kilt. Not sure what your point is.

I'm sorry, who are you?

The point is, a very large company that makes it's employees cover up their tattoos and remove their piercings welcomes kilt wearing, while the low level manager of a book store tells his subordinate to remove his.

[Good Egg]

I'm sorry, who are you?

The point is, a very large company that makes it's employees cover up their tattoos and remove their piercings welcomes kilt wearing, while the low level manager of a book store tells his subordinate to remove his.

I thought you were complaining about your own employer, which didn't make sense.

[Galician]

So he thinks it's okay to celebrate your Irish heritage, but not your Scottish heritage?

Well, just to be clear, I have neither Irish nor Scottish heritage.

By chance, said supervisor was out of the office in that period, EXCEPT for St. Patrick's Day. Since I had the manager's permission that day, he apparently said nothing about the woman in HR judging it to be inappropriate. The corporate guidelines do give local management the final say, however. So when I approached the new manager for Tartan Day, I let him know that there had an issue about it from his precedesor (which is why it went to HR). Regardless, he had felt it worth doing.

He then went on to notify the supervisors in the office that he had okay'ed my wearing it for the workday. At this point, said supervisor seems to have raised a stink about the HR position. That's when the manager backed down. I understood and didn't raise a fuss.

But now that the HR person's position has come up AGAIN, I am considering taking further action. I just don't know where to go and what stand I would have, given what I said in my first sentence.

[ronstew]

Galician, I think your last sentence sums up your chances.

Bummer.